It Isn't As Different

The older I get the more I am convinced
that we have more in common
with presidents then we think
before the rebuke
just hear me out:

I am not as virtuous or noble as my friends conclude
they wax romantically in suggesting dates
when the truth is I am rather unlovable
with the shortest chapter in my life
that thing called romance
"what I thought was love must have been lust"
applies to my journey

My partisian tendencies acted as a shield
insulation against reality
that perhaps political salvation
is beyond the confines of a two-party system

Presidential aspirants vessed in the nuances
of divided government yet promise the world
acheiving electoral success, whether intentional or not
failure to meet earlier decrees
how many times can we recount claims of campaign reform
which if enacted would weaken two party dominance

I can find political operatives
despicable, deplorable, and unworthy
but veracity is found in a durability
that goes beyond one person
the worst president or congressperson
still accesses some redeeming value that is
just enough of a safeguard to preserve hope

So you and I are really like politicians
we aren't as saintly as our friends imply
but neither are we as dishonorable as
those against us suggest

But there is one caveat that still can be a worry
being wrong about a person's character isn't
as problematic---people can change
but nature has hasher constants
carbon monoxide, nuclear radiation
and human longevity aren't conducive